Contract approved for Black River teachers

SULLIVAN TWP. — The Black River Board of Education unanimously approved a three-year contract with the Black River Teachers Association during a special meeting Monday night.

While the contract, effective June 30 to June 30, 2021, does not include a salary increase for Black River educators, it does include step increases that were frozen in previous years, Superintendent Chris Clark said.

“The teachers asked if we would reinstate their steps that they lost here back in 2010-2011 and 2011-12,” Clark said following the meeting. “So a lot of those teachers that were employed then will be regaining their steps.”

Step increases have been in place at Black River since the 1980s for educators to earn as they increase their abilities and further their qualifications, Clark said.

He said some teachers since have “maxed out” of the step increases, and will be given a lump sum payment instead for the lost years.

“Some of those teachers will be receiving a one-time lump sum payment of $700,” he said.